Log notching machine



H. N. IPSEN LOG NOTCHING MACHINE Nov. 28, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1960 myasmw-o n Q/qrcd P L H. N. IPSEN LOG NOTCHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 28, 1961 Filed Feb. 4, 1960 Nov. 28, 1961 H. N. IPSEN 3,010,495

LOG NOTCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVEMTQ Ware/cl lpoem Nov. 28, 1961 H. N. IPSEN 3,010,495

LOG NOTCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1960 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A L I J' 2 UTTOMBYL/ Nov. 28, .1961 w H. N. IPSEN 3,010,495

LOG NOTCHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 4, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 iglq- NVEMT I Ward/d n. 119,59 7 'j 4414.4 Q Q q To may,

United States Patent 3,010,495 LOG NOTCHING MACHINE Harold N. Ipsen, 715 S..Main St., Rockford, Ill. Filed Feb. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 6,778 7 Claims. (Cl. 144-136) This invention relates to woodworking machines and more particularly to woodworking machines adaptable to receive a workpiece of exceptional length. The invention finds particular but by no means exclusive utility when embodied in machines for performing notching operations on a wooden log such as those decorative logs used in the construction of buildings.

In log constructions, particularly of the type in which two intersecting walls are formed by laying up a plurality of logs with the successive logs disposed at right angles to each other, the logs are notched at the portions where they intersect to form a joint which permits-the logs in each wall to fit snugly one on top of the other. A novel joint which holds the logs firmly together and, at the same time is neat in appearance with no unsightly gaps, is disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 682,872, filed September 9, 1957.

With this and other log constructions, to erect a wall from which another intersecting wall extends at right angles at a point spaced from the log ends requires some logs that are notched both at the ends and at a point spaced from the ends to form the desired joints.

Heretofore to notch a long log as its ends has required that one end of the log be notched in'the machine and then the log swung end for end to allow notching the other end. Moreover, to notch a log intermediate its' ends has involved a manual operation since the log notching machines known and used at present are not adapted to cut a log anywhere throughout its length. It is now proposed to provide an open throat machine wherein a long log may be introduced at one side through the open throat and moved into alignment with a cutting section so that successive cutting operations may be performed on the log at each of successive points beginning at one end of the log and proceeding to any point along its entire length.

One object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a machine capable of performing a variety of cutting operations anywhere along the length of a long wooden log, being adapted to make cuts of different cross sections and depths as required by the joint construction being employed.

Another object is to provide a log notching machine having a plurality of fixed cutting heads and a log cradle supporting the log for traverse and revolution about its longitudinal axis relative to the cutting heads so that a variety of cuts may be made in the log sides.

A further object is to provide -a machine of the'character described having separate movable carriages so as to support the log throughout its length, and to synchronize the motion of the carriages relative to the cutting heads so as to feed a log carried thereby into engagement with the cutters and obtain the desired depths and shapes of cuts.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an illustrative log notching machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a loghaving notches performed by notching operations carried out on the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a log having notches adapted to interfit with the notches in the log shown in FIG. 2 to form a joint, and obtained 3,010,495 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 by notching operations carried out with the machine of FIGURE 1 FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1, taken substantially in the plane of lines 44 in FIGURE 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane of'lines 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing. the upper and-lower spindles of the machine in FIGURE '1, and is taken substantially in the plane of lines 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the carriages and the means for operating the same;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken in the plane of lines 8-8 in FIG. 4; FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating diagrammatically the operation of grooving the top of the FIG. 10 illustrates diagrammatically the operation of grooving the opposite sides of the log;

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate diagrammatically the operation of'notching the-log to complete the male portion of i the joint shown in FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 13 and 14- are views diagrammatically illustrat- 'ing the operation of notchin'g the log to complete the female portion of the joint shown in'FlG. 2.

While the invention has been described in connection with'a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that-it"is not intended to belimited to such an embodiment but is intended to include all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents'which are ineluded within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

General machine organization w With reference to the drawings, it will be perceived that the invention is there exemplified in an illustrative log notching machine 21 for carrying out cutting operations on an extremely long wooden-workpiece such as 27-30 adapted to. receive cutters, are provided. Relative movement of the carriages 23, 24 in synchronism,

.with respect to the cutting section 26 feeds a log L craled on the carriages and aligned with the cutting sec- 'tion' into engagement with the cutters on the spindles so as to perform the cutting operations. 'With this general arrangement, the length of the machine frame 22 and -carriages 23,- 24 may be established according to the length of the workpieces to be used in the manufacture of the finished parts.

Movement of the log L to different lengthwise positions on the carriages 23, 24 to align the log at different points with the cuttingsection 26 allows a notching op- Y eration to be performed at any point along the entire length of the log.

In addition to the foregoing, the log L is supported onthe carriages 23; 24 by revolvable fix- 'tures 32-35 so as to be revolvable by power means about its longitudinal axis while in cutting engagement with a cutter on one of the spindles on the cutting sec- 'tion 26, so as to cut a recess in the log, or while out of suchcutting engagement to-position the log for cutting operations on- -difierent sides. As illustrated morepar- -ticnlarly in FIGURE 1, the separate carriages 23, 24 of-thelog notching machine 21 which might be referred to as left and right carriages, respectively, because of their relative locations as shown in FIGURE 1, are slidably supported on transverse horizontal ways 39, 40.

-Bach carriage 23, 24 in the present case is made up of atrough 42 extending lengthwise of the machine formed by laterally spaced angle irons 4447 rigidly connected by sets of cross braces 48. The facing sides of the cross braces 48 are formed, as shown in FIG. 5, with a groove 50 in which horizontal bars 52 providing the slidable ways 39, 40 are received so as to allow horizontal sliding movement of the carriages 23, 24. The separate carriages 23, 24 are synchronized in their horizontal traverse by means of interconnected chain drives 54 each of which, as shown in FIG. 7, is connected to the associated carriage 23, 24. Each chain drive 54 includes sprockets 56 at both ends interconnected by shafts 57, 58, 59. Power is transmitted to the carriages 23, 24 by a plunger 61 hydraulically actuated by pressure fluid supplied under suitable controls to a power cylinder 62.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, clamping means are provided on each carriage 23, 24 for clamping the log Lrigidly in position. As herein shown, each clamping means is carried by the fixtures 3235 illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4 and 8. Such fixtures 3235 are provided at the remote ends of the carriages 23, 24 to hold the ends of a log and on each carriage adjacent the cutting section 26 so as to provide more rigid support for the workpiece adjacent the cutters in the cutting section.

Since each fixture 3235 is substantially identical, like parts in each will be identified by like reference numerals. v The fixture 33 adjacent the cutting section 26,

- as shown in FIG. 4, includes a substantially rectangular fixed support member 66 having a large central opening 67 in which a circular plate 68 is rotatably carried. The support member 66 is formed with a pair of feet 70 on the lower side which are adapted to rest on the angle members 44, 45 of the carriage 23, and carries a mounting bracket 72 on the rear side for a motor 73. The circular plate ,68 has a rectangular opening 74 through which the logL extends and carries a clamp mechanism 76 for holding the log securely in place. The clamping mechanism shown includes a clamping screw 77 operated by a handle 78 to position a block 79 in contact with the top of the log L. The block 79 is recessed to receive the tongue and clamps the log L securely against a U-shaped base member 81 having a stud 82 receivable .in the groove in the'bottom of the log. The circular plate 68 is rotatably supported within the fixed support member 66 by means of balls 84 within a raceway 85 provided by opposed grooves on themeeting surfaces of the support member and plate. The fixture assemblies 35, 32 on the remote ends of the right carriage 24 and the left carriage 23 are substantially as described in the foregoing. However, to revolve a log L cradled on V the carriages 23, 24 about its longitudinal axis, so as to move the log relative to a cutter on one of the spindles for cutting a recess in the log, the circular plate 68 of the fixture assembly 33 on the left carriage 23 adjacent the cutting section 26 is power driven by means herein shown as the electric motor 73 on the mounting bracket 72 on the rear side of the fixture. A chain drive including a drive sprocket 87, which is fast on the output shaft of a suitable speed reducing gearing driven by the fixture motor 73, and a sprocket 88 fixed to the face of the cir- V cular plate 68 may be used for revolving the plate.

In the present case, by rotating the fixture plate 68 by the motor 73 the log L may be revolved about its longitudinal axis. Moreover, for positioning the log L precisely flat resting on one side, or upright resting on the bottom, stop means are provided in association with the fixture 33 for establishing these two positions, and electrical 'control means herein shown as limit switches V are provided for the motor 73. In the present case, a stop dog 90 fixed to the sprocket bearing face of the ro "ta'table plate 68 of the fixture 33 is movable upon rotation of the plate into engagement either with a horizontalstop 92 at the left lower side of thesupport, or a vertical stop 94 on the support 66 over the plate. In the present .4 case the horizontal stop 92 includes a threaded bolt 96 extending from a stop plate 97 fixed on the left carriage 23. By adjusting the amount the bolt 96 extends from the stop plate 97, a precise adjustment may be had on the final fiat position of the log Lcarried on the carriages by revolving the fixture plate 68. The vertical stop 94 is adapted to be engaged by a-cap screw 99 (FIG. 9) threaded through a spacer 102 into the stop dog 90 on the rotary fixture plate 68. The length of the spacer 102 fixes the vertical position of the log L.

Cutting section As shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the cutting section 26 of the machine 21 includes three horizontal spindles 27, 28, 29 and a single vertical spindle 30 partly supported by and enclosed in a housing 105 consisting of spaced vertical side walls 106 and front 108, top 109, and rear walls 110 that connect the side walls 106, 107 in the housing 105. The opposite side walls 106 of the housing are provided with regular facing horizontal openings having a wide, rectangular section 112 toward the front of the machine 21 and a narrower, rectangular section 114 toward the rear of the machine and defining together a throat 115 through which a log L may be introduced lengthwise and clamped on the trough 42. The throat 115 also provides for feeding the log L horizontally into engagement with the cutters on the horizontal and vertical spindles 2730. Thus the section of the throat 115 toward the front of the machine 21 is wide enough to receive the log L when upright (FIG. 9) so that the log may be fed when so positioned toward the cutters and past a cutter on the first horizontal spindle 27 which is at a higher elevation than the others, to perform a cutting operationon the top of the log L. The log L may be fed when positioned fiat past the pair of opposed horizontal spindles 28, 29 into the narrower section 114 of the throat 115 and, if desired, further into the narrower section and engagement with a cutter on the vertical spindle 30. It Will be noted that the upper and lower spindles 28, 29 are arranged adjacent the point where the sections 112, 114 of the throat 115 are joined for performing simultaneous grooving operations on the sides of the log, while the vertical spindle 30 is adjacent the rear of the narrower section 114 of the throat 115 to plunge cut a blind recess in the bottom of the log upon movement of the carriages to feed the log into cutting engagement therewith.

' spindle of the respective assembly is rotatably mounted on bearings. The horizontal spindle assemblies are supported between the right side wall 106 of the cutting section housing and a vertical plate (FIGURE 1) spaced inwardly from the left side wall 106 of the section, as by welding the ends of the hollow shafts 118 of the spindle assemblies thereto. Each spindle 27-30 is conventionally adapted to support cutters of the desired configuration to produce the surfaces required for the joint.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower horizontal spindle 29 of the opposed pair is power driven by a motor 122 mounted on a bracket 124 fixed to the cutting section housing 105. A belt drive 126 connected to a pulley 128 on the spindle may be used to supply the power from the motor 122. Both of the upper horizontal spindles 27, 28 are driven by a motor 130 also mounted on a bracket fixed to the cutting section housing 105. A belt drive 7 132 may also be used to operate these spindles 27, 28

- drive 139 by a motor 140 positioned below-the carriages.

In this case the vertical spindle 30 is fixed by suitable brackets to the left side wall 106 and vertical plate 120 of the cutting section housing 105.

To control the horizontal advance of the carriages 23, 24, means are provided herein shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 as a manually operated valve 141 adapted to control the pressure fluid supplied to the hydraulic cylinder 62 through a valve 141a. The valve 141a .is mounted on the frame 22 of the machine 21 so as to be engageable.

by an arm 142 on the carriage 23 in the course of the horizontal movement of the latter. In the present case the latter valve 141a has a vertically movable actuator 145 movable downwardly upon engagement by the horizontal arm 142 carried by the carriage 23. The hori-,

the carriages 23, 24 advance under the actuation of the power cylinder 62 at a fast rate until just before engagement of the log L with the cutter on the vertical spindle 30; at a slower rate during the cutting operation; and are stopped when the desired depth of cut is achieved. A

limit switch 150 fixed on the lower frame 22 of the ma-.

chine (FIG. 8) to be engageable by a lug 152 on the carriage 23 may also be provided as an emergency device to prevent overtravel if thevalve fails to operate to stop the carriage advance. This limit switch 150 may be connected in a suitable manner, for example, to shut off the.

pump supplying fluid to the power cylinder 62. Another limit switch (not shown) may also be provided toward the front of the machine 21 to stop the return of the carriages 23, 24 under actuation by the power cylinder, suitable controls being provided for obtaining power return after the individual cutting operations are completed.

Log notching operations In operating the machine 21 to notch a log L so as to provide the female member of the joint which is shown in FIG. 2, as hereinbefore described a log L is used which has previously been planed on all four sides and finished to provide a tongue along the top of the log and a groove along the bottom. This finished log L isintroduced into and then moved along the trough 42 through the throat 115 of the cutting section 26 from left to right in FIGURE 1. The log' L is then rigidly secured in position by means of the clamping mechanism 76 in alignment with the cutting section 26 so that the notch when out is properly located lengthwise of the log. In this manner, the log L may be notched adjacent the leading end of the log. Furthermore, in carrying out this invention after the cutting operation produces the notch, the log may be released, moved along-the trough through the throat 115 for realignment with the cutting section 26,.

and reclamped, to produce a notch at any point intermediate its ends.

The sequence of cutting and log positioning operations to produce the female member of the joint is diagrammatically depicted in FIGS. 9, and 13. .To form the a female member in the present machine 21 involves three cutting operations on the log L: cutting grooves across the tongue; cutting grooves on both sides; and cutting the blind recess R. The operations will be described in that order, although as will be evident this order may be changed as desired. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, by

, means of the motor 73 the'log L is revolved to an upright position with the tongue extending along the top of the log.- Before the log L is revolvedthecap screw;

is threadedinto place in the stop .dog 90 so-that byrevolving thelog carrying fixtures 32-35 the end of the cap screw 99 moves into rigid abutment with the vertical stop 94 to fix the vertical position of the log L, shown in FIG. 9. It should be noted that with the cap screw 99 and spacer 102 removed from the stop dog 90, the

latter clears thevertical'stop 94 when the fixtures are revolved, to, allow the log L to be revolved to other positions.

then returned by the power cylinder 62.

. In the next operation groves are produced on the sides of thelog L to further prepare the female joint member. To carry out this operation the log L is revolved clockwise to position the stop dog solidly against the fixed horizontal stop 92 on the frame 22 of the machine 21. In this position the logL is flat-with thetongue on the log facing the front of the machine 21 and the groove along the bottom ofthe log facing the cutting section 26 of the machine. With the log in this position, the. carriage sections 23, 24 are hydraulically driven toward the cutting section 26 to feed the log L between cutters 28C, 29C carried on the pair of upper and lower horizontal spindles 28, 29, respectively.. These cutters 28C, 29C have an appropriate configuration to provide the requisite depth of cut and also to provide outer bevelled edges complementary to the beveled edges on the mating log as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the arcuate recess R to complete the female member of the joint is made by means of a cutter 30C operated by the vertical spindle 30 of the cutter section 26. After return of the carriages 23, 24 following the planing of the grooves on the sides ofthe log L, a cutter 30C having the required configuration is mounted on the vertical spindle 30. In this case, the cutter 30C has a projecting blade to produce a groove G along the bottom and sides of the recess R. A tongue T on the matinglog, as shown in-FIG. 3, is received in the groove G to interlock the logs L against endwise shifting. To carry out the foregoing, with the cutter 30C mounted on-the vertical spindle 30 and with the log L fiat '(FIG. 4) the carriage sections 23, 24 are moved to feedthe log into engagement with the cutter 30C to plunge-cut the recess R. Preferably, suitable control is exercised over the movement of the carriages 23, 24 so that. the log L is fed a slower rate during the plunge cutting operation until the depth of cut, as shown in FIG. 13, is achieved. In the presentcase the control may be achieved by the horizontal arm 1'42 carried by the left carriage 23 having a stepped surface forengagement with the actuator for the valve 141a, as previously described.

Turning now to particularly FIGS. 3 and 10-12, these figuresshow in diagrammatic manner an illustrative sequence of operations involved to produce the male by feeding the log L (FIG; 10) between cutters 28C, 29C carried on the pair of horizontal spindles 28, 29, respectively. These cutters have a configuration to provide outer bevelled edges complementary to the bevelled edges on the mating log shown in FIG. 2. I

A large cutter 27D is then mounted on the first horizontal spindle 27. The periphery of this cutter 27D is recessed along the center to produce a tongue T on the sides and top wall of the notch, as shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 11, the outer diameter of the cutter 27D is such that with the log L fiat, the periphery of the cutter 27D contacts the bottom of the groove on the log side. The carriages 23, 24 are moved inwardly until a dog 155 at the rear side of the carriage 23 (FIG. 11) carried below the left angle 45 forming the trough 42, is to the rearward of a pivotal stop 157 carried on the frame 22. The stop 157 may be pivoted by the operator, from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to a vertical position in alignment with the dog 155 below the carriage 23. The carriages 23, 24 are then returned until the dog 155 is brought against the stop 157, as shown in FIG. 11. At this point the log L is fixed for the notching operation to be carried out by the cutter 27D. With the carriages fixed in this position, the log L is revolved by the motor 73 counterclockwise 180 to the position of FIG. 12. During the course of this revolving motion the log moves past the cutter 27D on the first spindle 27 to pro vide a notch having an arcuate top wall complementary to the recess R, having an arcuate bottom wall. After this operation has been completed, the stop 157 is released so that it pivots away from alignment with the dog 155 carried by the carriages allowing the carriages to be returned to the front part of the machine and the log L removed from cutter engagement.

As hereinbefore mentioned, suitable electrical control means, herein shown as limit switches (FIG. 9), may be used for controlling the fixture revolving motor 73. For this purpose limit switches 153,, 154, 160 are mounted so as to be actuated as the fixtures are revolved to shut off the power to the motor 73. Thereafter the log L revolves in the fixtures and coasts to its final position. Thus the limit switch 153 is actuated as the log L is revolved clockwise (FIG. 4) and thereafter the log L coasts until the horizontal stop 92, which fixes the final flat position of the log L, is engaged by the dog 90. Similarly, an actuator 98 for the limit switch 154 is engaged by the cap screw 99 as the log L is revolved counterclockwise toward its vertical position, to stop the motor 73. Thereafter the log L coasts to the vertical position fixed by the vertical stop '94. The limit switch 160 is used without any associated mechanical stop to stop the motor 73 and thereby determine the fiat position of the log L after the latter is revolved further counterclockwise from the vertical position of FIG. 9.

While the foregoing operations produce the required surfaces for the male and female members of the joint, it will be evident that these operations may be changed and other cutters used, where desired to make the illus trated joint in a diflerent manner, or a different form of joint. Similarly, other notching and cutting operations may be carried out with this machine with appropriate cutters on the spindles, and eflfective carriage movement.

I claim as my invention: 1. In a log notching machine, the combination comprising, spaced parallel horizontal ways, elongated carriages movably carried by said ways respectively, and arranged transversely thereof, a cutting section between said ways including a power driven cutter for notching one side of a log, means for clamping a log on said carriages spanning said ways and in alignment with said cutting section, and power means for operating said carriages to move synchronously along said ways whereby to feed a' tween said ways including a power driven cutter for notching one side of a log, means including a clamp mechanism on each of said carriages adjacent said cutting section for rigidly securing a log thereon arranged transversely of said ways, and power means for operating said carriages to move synchronously along said ways whereby to feed a log clamped thereon into cutting engagement with said cutter for notching the log.

3. In a log notching machine, the combination comprising, spaced parallel horizontal ways, separate elongated carriages movably carried by said ways respectively, and arranged transversely thereof, a cutting section between said ways including a plurality of horizontal and vertical power driven cutters for notching the sides of a log, means for clamping a log on said carriages so that the log is arranged transversely of said ways in alignment with said cutting section, and power means for operating said carriages to move synchronously along said ways whereby to feed a log carried thereby into cutting engagement with said cutters for notching the log.

4. In a log notching machine, the combination comprising, spaced parallel horizontal ways, separate elongated carriages movably carried by said ways respectively, and arranged transversely thereof, a cutting section between said ways including a power driven cutter for notching one side of a log, means for clamping a log on said carriages so that the log is arranged transversely of said ways in alignment with said cutting section, said lastnamed means including a revolvable fixture on each carriage for revolving the log to position difierent sides for engagement by said cutter, and power means for operating said carriages to move synchronously along said ways whereby to feed a log carried thereby into cutting engagement with said cutter for notching the log.

5. In a log notching machine, the combination comprising, spaced parallel horizontal ways, separate elongated carriages movably carried by said ways respectively, and arranged end to end transversely of said ways, a cutting section between said ways and said carriages including a power driven cutter for notching one side of a log, means for clamping a log on saidcarriages so that the log is arranged transversely of said ways in alignment with said cutting section, said last-named means including a pair of fixtures on each carriage holding the log for revolution about its longitudinal axis, said fixtures being arranged adjacent the cutting section and at the remote ends of the carriages, and power means for operating said carriages to move synchronously along said ways whereby to feed a log carried thereby into cutting engagement with said cutter for notching the log.

6. In a log notching machine, the combination comprising, horizontal ways, an elongated carriage movably carried by said ways and arranged transversely thereof, a cutting section adjacent one end of said carriage including a power driven cutter for notching one side of a log, means for clamping a log on said carriage so that the log is arranged transversely of said ways in alignment with said cutting section, said last-named means including a revolvable fixture for revolving the log to position different sides for engagement by said cutter, and power means for operating said ways whereby to feed a log carried thereby into cutting engagement with said cutter for notching the log.

7. In a log notching machine, the combination comprising, horizontal ways, an elongated carriage movably carried by said ways and arranged transversely thereof, a cutting section adjacent one end of said carriage including a power driven cutter for notching one side of a log, means for clamping a log on said carriage so that the log is arranged transversely of said ways in alignment with said cutting section, said last-named means including a fixture holding the log for revolution about its longitudinal axis, power means for operating said carriage to move along said ways whereby to feed a log carried thereby into cutting engagement with said cutter, and power means operably connected to said log for revolving the latter in said fixture while in engagement with said cutter for notching the log References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rodgers Sept. 8, 1874 Morris Dec. 5, 1933 Merrill July 24, 1951 McM'urtrie Apr. 10, 1956 Bjork July 10, 1956 Schiel Dec. 22, 1959 Palm May 10, 1960 

